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Employee Spotlight – Ivan Smith

Employee Spotlight

Ivan Smith

Consumer Loan Officer
With AGCU 8 years

Forward Thinking Force

Dedicated to shaping a brighter tomorrow. Ivan’s genuine passion for improving the future is evident in everything he does.

His enthusiasm for making a difference extends to every aspect of his life. Whether it’s tossing a football with his children, sharing a laugh with coworkers, or simply enjoying classical music.

In Ivan, we find a beacon of hope and possibility, reminding us of the importance of looking forward with purpose and intention. His commitment to building a better tomorrow inspires us to join him on the journey toward a brighter future.

With a heart full of compassion and a strong sense of faith, Ivan approaches each day with a determination to make a difference by learning about the people behind the loans, and helping them achieve their goals.


What Does 
Banking With A Purpose Mean to You?

It’s an opportunity to make a difference.
AGCU donates 10% of our profits back to help people. It’s just a better fellowship

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

I’d want to know the future. That way I could help humanity improve.


What is your favorite hobby?

I’m really competitive, and I love playing board and card games with my family.

 

Tell us something about you that might surprise us.

I can play piano.

When I was younger, I played piano, synthesizer, and organ in a garage band with friends.

 


What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever reveived?

 When you have a problem, put it in perspective. Will this even matter in a few ,months or years?

If you won’t be focused on it then, why be focused now? 

More Employee Spotlights

Employee Spotlight – Sherrie Spracklen

Employee Spotlight Sherrie Spracklen

Employee Spotlight

Sherrie Spracklen

Insurance Services Manager
With AGCU 10 years

Committed Advocate

AGCU InsuranceSherrie is a beacon of warmth and determination. Her laughter and love for family game nights reveal a playful yet competitive side, while her commitment to policyholders reflects a genuine dedication to service. Beyond her professional role, Sherrie’s compassion extends to volunteering at church and supporting meaningful causes. Sherrie embodies a well-rounded and caring spirit, making her a cherished member of the AGCU family.

Sherrie’s dedication to helping policyholders, coupled with a keen understanding of navigating the insurance process, emphasizes her commitment to service and advocacy. In both her professional and personal endeavors, Sherrie genuinely cares for those around her.


What Does 
Banking With A Purpose Mean to You?

Supporting causes, people, and missions that are near and dear to my heart.

What chore do you absolutely hate?

I won’t go in the crawl space under my house, or really anywhere that might have bats or snakes.


What is your favorite hobby?

I’m really competitive, and I love playing board and card games with my family.


How do you define success?

 By the number of people I’ve helped and the lives that I’ve touched


What is one thing that you wish people knew about your job
?

 Sometimes, the cheapest coverage isn’t the best option, and it’s always better to have an agent in your corner

Employee Spotlight – Wade Brazeal

Employee Spotlight - Wade Brazeal

Employee Spotlight

Wade Brazeal

Senior Teller
Team Member Since 2021

Supportive Star

Wade’s personality is a blend of warmth, enthusiasm, and a deep commitment to helping others. 

His dedication to family and faith serves as a powerful source of inspiration, and he carries this same passion into his role at AGCU. He thrives on ensuring members leave with smiles, fostering an atmosphere of camaraderie, and uplifting others with his big-hearted spirit.

Wade began his career at AGCU as a teller helping members with deposits and withdrawals and has moved into the role of Senior Teller where he has more opportunities to provide answers and encouragement for his team and help members make the most of their money.

What Does Banking With A Purpose Mean to You?

Getting to know our members and watching them leave happy and at peace with their finances.

Where do you volunteer?

I volunteer with the Junior High students at my church.  I’m basically a big kid who has fun while teaching about Jesus.


Where is your favorite place to be?

Anywhere, spending time with my family.


If you could easily learn a new skill, what would it be?

 I’d like to learn to speak Japanese and visit Japan

Terry Barksdale

Employee Spotlight Terry Barksdale

Employee Spotlight

Terry Barksdale

Vice President Commercial Lending

Team Member Since 2021

Loves to Roam

Growing up as a Military B.R.A.T. traveling throughout the country and the world may have been the beginning of Terry’s love of exploration.

She finds beauty and wonder in every corner of the globe. However, her true joy is when she’s surrounded by family.

To her, a place is perfect when it becomes a backdrop for creating memories with her loved ones. She and her husband, Kevin, have nurtured a beautiful family, blessed with two children and three grandchildren.

In all facets of life, Terry’s journey is a testament to her spirit of exploration, her dedication to the financial realm, and her unwavering love for her family.

What Does Banking With A Purpose Mean to You?

Listening to our member’s needs and looking out for their best interests.

Where do you volunteer?

I’ve served on the Finance Committee at my church, as well as The Kitchen and
March of Dimes


What are you currently reading or binge-watching?

I like watching “The Chosen,” but I love reading, especially Bible studies.


What is the Best Advice You’ve ever received?

There are often valleys in life, But they’re temporary.

Employee Spotlight – Kim Purcell

Employee Spotlight - Kim Purcell

Employee Spotlight

Kim Purcell

Member Experience Team Lead

With AGCU 7 Years

The Queen

Married for 45 years, mother and grandmother of seven, Kim’s family calls her Queen!
She loves crafting, hanging out by the pool, and cheering at her grandchildren’s basketball games!

Kim was born in Oklahoma but grew up in Springfield. She is excited to learn more about her Eastern Shawnee Nation roots and talks about the tribe’s history and language.

Kim joined AGCU as the Independence Branch Team Lead, and like any proud mother, is more comfortable sharing stories about the accomplishments and teamwork growing within her departments than talking about her own success building towards those strong relationships.

What Does Banking With A Purpose Mean to You?

Building relationships with members.
Helping, teaching and sharing knowledge and experience.

What chore do you absolutely hate?

Folding laundry! Most tasks are relaxing and therapeutic, but laundry never stops!

What is the first concert you ever attended?

It was a festival with five or six bands, but I saw Peter Frampton and Styx.

Define Success

Success isn’t necessarily monetary.
It’s being happy where you are!

Employee Spotlight – Janora Reed

Employee Spotlight Janora Reed

Employee Spotlight

Janora Reed

Fraud & Debit Card Specialist

With AGCU 17 Years

Group Mentor

Meet Janora Reed, a wife, mother, and grandmother with a passion for teaching, sharing, and loving.

A child of missionaries, Janora grew up in Africa before returning to the United States at the age of 16.

Janora has been a valued member of multiple departments with AGCU and has become her team’s go-to source of advice.

Janora’s love of pouring into the lives of others makes her a cherished asset to her family and our AGCU family alike, with a desire to help others succeed and offers a wealth of information to answer most questions.

Although Janora began her career at AGCU’s Campbell location in the lobby, her enthusiasm to serve global workers soon led her to take on a more specialized role. She now provides expert debit and credit card services along with fraud protection and education for member accounts, and acts as a financial liaison for special accounts.

What Does Banking With A Purpose Mean to You?

To serve members by taking financial pressures off of them so they can focus on what matters most in their lives.

What’s one thing you wish people knew about your job?

I wish they knew how easy it is to fall for a scam.

Do you volunteer anywhere?

I’m a member of the ”Dream Team” at James River Church, and serve as a host in the auditorium.

What’s The Best Piece of Advice You’ve Ever Received?

Consider all of your options. Write a list of Pros and Cons. Don’t make rash decisions.

Employee Spotlight – Sharla

Employee spotlight - Sharla Herron

Employee Spotlight

Sharla Herron

Consumer Loan Processor
With AGCU 2 Years

Family-First Mom

Sharla was born in Ft. Worth, TX, and grew up in Arkansas. While she is active in her church, loves riding motorcycles along the countryside and rocking out to all types of music, the times that she’s truly inspired is when
she’s with her two daughters, Shayla and Amelia.

Sharla started her journey as a teller with AGCU. She had intended to move to the Mortgage Department, but when an unexpected opportunity arose in Consumer Lending, she couldn’t contain her enthusiasm for exploring new paths and helping members fulfill their financial aspirations.

What Does Banking With A Purpose Mean to You?

Going above and beyond to help members. Not just their banking needs, but by having a heart for their life.

What is your favorite quote from a movie?

“If you’re a bird, I’m a bird.”
~The Notebook

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Always be myself – no matter what.

Sharla’s Definition of Success

Loving what you do, and conquering everything that you set out to do every day!
 

Employee Spotlight – Leanne Allen

Leanne Allen

Member Care Team Lead

Problem Solver! 

Leanne is a transplant from Scranton, ND who likes finding solutions to new challenges. 

She enjoys Country Music and Southern Gospel. With a combination like that, no wonder she moved close to so many great Branson shows! 

Leanne earned a promotion to Member Care Team Lead in February 2023. Her new role involves supporting the Member Care team as well as providing answers and solutions to AGCU Members who call with questions about their accounts or services.

What Does Banking With A Purpose Mean to You?

“It means believing in the organization and continuing to learn and ask questions so I can provide answers for our members”

What is one thing that you wish people knew about your job?

“That there is a ministry side to helping members, it’s challenging, but fun”

What is something you learned last week?

“That it’s scary when you step out on faith, but that’s when you find success”

A Catalog of Cats and Cattle!

Leanne is an animal lover who owns cattle and lives with her
two black cats, Leo and Tuxedo.

Employee Spotlight – Farrah Hill

Employee Spotlight- Farrah Hill

Employee Spotlight

Farrah Hill

Sr. Mortgage Loan Associate
With AGCU 11 Years

Team Motivator

Farrah loves celebrating the success of her co-workers and tells us, “You’ll never find a better team!”

She grew up in Halfway, Missouri, and still lives there along with her husband, Matthew, and their two dogs, Bruno and Betty.

She loves working, playing, and gardening in the outdoors and dreams of visiting and exploring sites like Glacier National Park.

Farrah began her career with AGCU as a part-time teller. She soon transitioned to the Mortgage Department where she works to provide members with clear communication along every step of the lending process. Her work removes obsticles so members can make their financial decisions with confidence!

What Does Banking With A Purpose Mean to You?

Taking pride in treating members with respect and making them feel valued.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

I wish I could fly. I’d be able to get to work so much faster!

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

My high school coach told me, “You might as well.”

Favorite Place!

Farrah is enjoying a country music fan’s dream lifestyle!

She loves spending her free time working on her family’s farm and helping care for young calves.